School District Investigating Solar Energy

In an effort to be green and get green, the is investigating the possibility of bringing privately funded solar energy to the district that would also provide revenue for projects on the district’s wish list.

“We are currently looking into having solar panels installed,” said Board of Education and finance committee head Frank Cuccio. “The way it would work is that we would get credits from the government for using renewable energy. The solar panel company would sell the energy to the power company, giving us revenue.”

Governor Chris Christie has called for 22% of New Jersey’s energy to come from renewable sources by 2021.

“If this plan works as presented to us, we could be compliant with that mandate and get money for some projects we need to get done,” Cuccio said, adding that one item on his wish list is a turf field and upgraded track at the high school.

The next step, Cuccio said, is to explore possible locations for the panels.

“They may go on top of the building, or maybe out on a field,” he said. “We’re looking into the best place to put them now, and should have a report available in a couple of weeks.”